Dick Whittington

 Players have a long history of village pantomime  and this year’s production of Dick Whittington certainly upheld the tradition. 

As usual with Alan Frayn’s scripts there was a strong storyline, the action flowed smoothly along, and with a new Musical Director at the keyboard the evening started in fine style with a sympathetically arranged introduction giving a flavour of the songs to come.

The “delightful” baby Ratlings set the scene by announcing that the city was overrun with rats,  endearing themselves straight away to this last night audience, packed with friends and family. There was a good chorus opening with the “Lambeth Walk” and as this well-known story unfolded in typical panto style, with plenty of audience participation and topical references, the principal characters  were introduced along the way.

It seemed quite a mature cast on stage this time round, which can often happen with a “demographic” trough, and the younger members of the cast took their bows at the end of the first half, with two older girls and their lovely smiles  remaining in the chorus until the end.

Some fresh faces had joined the team this year. The role of Alderman Fitzwarren was staunchly played, and a well-known performer on the East Devon “am-dram” circuit stepped ably into Dame Dolly’s shoes. This role was played very much as a  “bloke” in a frock, with traditional make-up and an array of eye -catching costumes, although perhaps the addition of  some gloves or fingerless lacey hand-warmers would have added that extra touch – just a thought.

There was a good ending to Act I with London is London as Dick and Alice entered through the hall to join everyone on stage for Dick’s “dream” return to London as Lord Mayor, and the Ratlings dressed as Guardsman complete with “bearskin” hats!

Act II saw the Company sail off to Morocco as Dick and Tom stealthily made their way on board, and Alice with considerable help from the audience persuaded her father that Dick had been “framed” for stealing her necklace and was not the villain of the piece after all.

Great fun ensued with a typical “baking scene” a “mop drill”, and the timely shipwreck gave opportunity for a memorable and decidedly different , underwater scene, which was well performed and well lit.

All the principals played their roles with commitment and sincerity and received sterling support from the adult chorus and the youngsters.

The “happy couple” made a believable pair and were very well accompanied by a dainty Tom, who displayed good reactions. Tom of course saved the day ridding the palace of the ghastly rats, led by a very commanding and scary Queen Rat, well disguised with excellent make-up!

The  magical Fairy made a perfect foil and of course  ensured a happy ending!

The “desperate duo”, in the shape of  Captain Cuttlefish and Scupper made a great pair and certainly stole the scene in the “romantic” duet as they performed their antics up stage behind Alice and Dick – hilarious! 

Idle Jack  pulled “his” socks up at every opportunity and got the audience on side from the start  and the Sultan was perfectly pompous and  superior.

The Sultan’s Palace scene  was very attractive and well-dressed but perhaps set too far upstage as most of the “banter” between him and Dolly, and the business with “kneel, kneel” was a tad lost.

The backdrops and flats were  excellently painted although the flats together with the tormentors DSR and DSL did make for a rather narrow acting space on what is not a very big stage. As already mentioned at times dialogue was lost when the action was set US and some of the lines at the start between the Fairy and the Queen couldn’t be heard when the Ratlings made their noisy exit down the steps and out through the hall.

Small points in what was an entertaining and warmly received production  with superb costumes, and  well sung songs.

At this performance after the finale a rather shy gentleman brought the house down when he took to the stage, went down on one knee, and asked “Dick” to marry him  - happily she said yes! 

Simply “purrfect”! Oh yes it was!

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what they see at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that their assessment will be affected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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